Spent the whole day feeling unproductive, tapped out by the million and one paperwork demands. But my imagination is on teaching. I’m tinkering with various ideas for making the semester as meaningful as possible for my students. How can I do that right now though?
In particular, I’m thinking through some designs that might enable us to structure the class in ways they look forward to:
1. Learn at your own pace. All classes are available for asynchronous engagement.
2. Learn how to network. Schedule 1-1 w/instructor and socialize w/ peers
1. Learn at your own pace. All classes are available for asynchronous engagement.
2. Learn how to network. Schedule 1-1 w/instructor and socialize w/ peers
3. Learn how to build community. Writing opportunities are embedded in the networking process. Participate in crowdsourced notetaking, GroupMe notifications, Social Media posting relevant to the class, Film Club, or organize your own event(s) for credit.
4. Learn how to create and seek out resources. Students will craft a “usable” resource for campus-wide distribution. We can crowdsource a project we all agree is worthwhile or students can create solo or group projects (note: integrates Tech Comm across the curriculum)
5. Learn how to do research and tell stories about “the truth.” I usually incorporate a research interest in Black Women’s intellectual and cultural production into a Wikipedia Editing assignment (See bit.ly/TeachingWikipe… for resources).
6. Learn how to read, comprehend, and summarize information. Through our exploration of various texts and genres, you will expand your range of literacy. Instead of telling people what narratives are about, you’ll develop a vocab for talking about what texts and authors “do.”
7. Learn how to increase your professional value. Composing mission statements and bios are useful ways to engage reflection and creative writing. Students will interrogate common terms for labor and work, re-examining how they talk about themselves and how it makes others feel.
8. Learn how to secure funding and negotiate. Everyone needs to know how to “sell” their abilities, estimate their value, and broker their talent + potential for money. We could do a fundraiser to assist our students that are financially struggling or organize fin aid resources.
9. Learn how to articulate your needs in everyday communication. Seriously, email correspondence editing and copywriting have long been incorporated in my classes, but it was kind of always a side request. I’m thinking about devoting “synchronous class time” for this instruction.
10. Learn how to have fun and play. I’ve never taught writing for “humor.” But lately I’m wondering how to incorporate folklore and comedy to help us establish real bonds. Plenty of free-writes about our identities/challenges could be assigned and may incentivize participation.
@threadreaderapp unroll
